Activated Charcoal Toothpaste Risks and Side Effects

As the Internet has grown and various sites offer unlikely health solutions, more suspect dental products—like activated charcoal toothpaste—have also appeared. These products are often marketed with bold claims, especially regarding teeth whitening.

This has been particularly true as teeth whitening has become a more popular treatment—whitening solutions have been offered online.

And they often sound too good to be true, generally because they are too good to be true.

Activated charcoal-based toothpaste and its use to whiten and brighten teeth emerged as recent trends online, in traditional media, and markets.

Sometimes, such products are even prescribed to cleanse themouth, gums and teeth.

Your Cheltenham dentist has something to say about this trend. Like most trends, it is not a good, long-lasting solution to discoloured teeth.

Fortunately, we have long-term and safe solutions, including teeth-whitening treatments and veneers!

Why Activated Charcoal Toothpaste Is Risky

The logic behind charcoal-based teeth whitener is this – charcoal is well known to be highly absorbent, so it must be able to absorb stains, toxins, etc.

Charcoal is very absorbent—it is a traditional treatment for some kinds of poisoning precisely because it can absorb a lot of things.

But this doesn’t mean that charcoal can remove or eliminate stains on teeth, leaving them whiter, brighter, and more beautiful.

This idea of charcoal whitening is partly true but in a hazardous way.

Charcoal is highly absorbent, but beyond that, it is also abrasive, and scientists and dentists believe it is possible that charcoal can temporarily whiten teeth, but only at the risk of the health of the tooth.

Using activated charcoal toothpaste is little more than grinding off the top layer of tooth enamel, stains and all.

While this may temporarily whiten teeth, it also weakens them fundamentally.

Enamel protects teeth, and as enamel abrades, teeth are much more likely to crack, chip, break, or develop cavities.

Even worse, the abrasion caused by charcoal can eventually cause even dingier teeth.

As enamel thins, the naturally yellow dentin below begins to show through, discolouring the teeth in a way that can no longer be remedied by safe, quick, and effective dental whitening.

Science Says…

Most scientists and dentists don’t believe the research on activated charcoal toothpaste has caught up to its trendy nature.

As many charcoal-containing toothpastes do not include fluoride, they are bad for your smile, missing the one ingredient that can remineralise and strengthen your teeth.

This increases the chance of developing tooth decay.

Then, there’s that abrasion we mentioned earlier.

Because charcoal toothpastes aren’t regulated, their effects on teeth are unknown. No one has ever scientifically examined how quickly they might wear the enamel away and reveal the dentin underneath, leading to permanently yellow teeth.

There is at least one more unfortunate result of enamel abrasion. However, it does not have to do with tooth colour—enamel erosion makes teeth more sensitive to extreme temperatures, potentially making foods like ice cream or hot coffee painful.

The claim that activated charcoal toothpaste can detox your mouth is also suspect.

Charcoal’s absorbency is not selective about what it absorbs, and some doctors worry that activated charcoal can interfere with oral medicine administration.

Even though charcoal toothpastes are super-trendy, there is little evidence that they help you whiten teeth.

Nothing beats brushing twice daily with fluoride-containing toothpaste and getting advice on tooth whitening from your Cheltenham dentist.

Considering Teeth Whitening? Choose a Safer, Evidence-Based Option

For patients seeking a brighter smile, it’s understandable that over-the-counter products like activated charcoal toothpaste may seem appealing. However, while charcoal may offer the illusion of short-term whitening, the potential damage to tooth enamel poses a significant long-term risk.

Fortunately, there are safer, more effective alternatives. Professional teeth whitening treatments performed under the care of a dentist are supported by scientific research and tailored to each patient’s oral health. These treatments:

• Use clinically tested ingredients that minimise teeth sensitivity and enamel erosion
• Are more effective at targeting deep stains
• Provide consistent and longer-lasting results compared to unregulated home remedies

If you want to whiten your teeth, the best first step is to consult your dentist. Our dental examination will determine the state of your oral health and suggest the safest method to get a healthy, brighter smile—perhaps even without jeopardising the integrity of your teeth.

Boutique Whitening System in Cheltenham

At Captivate Dental, our competent, caring staff provides value through excellent diagnostic skills and efficient use of high-quality materials.

We offer various preventative and cosmetic dental services to seniors and everyone!

Call us at (03) 9553 1249, or use ourconvenient online booking page.

Visit us at 36 Chesterville Road in Cheltenham.